Philadelphia's Community Life Improvement Program is using Esri's Collector mobile app to empower their data collection in management. Prior to Collector, the anti-graffiti effort was driven by Excel.
Juliana Reyes reports that the anti graffiti team led by Philadelphia's Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP) is one month into a pilot program to test the use of a mobile app called Collector, created by Esri for use on Samsung Galaxy phones as part of its package of ArcGIS tools.
"Instead of using pen and paper to log their work out in the field, five crew members are using the ESRI-built app on Samsung Galaxy phones to track their work, complete with before and after photos," writes Reyes. If the experiment proves fruitful, the team will roll out the app to all 25 team members.
The anti-graffiti team's use of Collector is the first test for the city's soon-to-expand se of mobile data tracking in other departments. For instance, "[the] city plans to give mobile devices to inspectors from the Department of Licenses & Inspections so they can issue violations in real time, instead of waiting to go back to the office to do so."
FULL STORY: Philly’s anti-graffiti team is piloting a mobile app to track its work
Esri App Makes Data Visualization Easy
A wealth of pre-authored policy maps lets users access data to explore public policy issues.
Philadelphia Inquirer's New App Sends 'On This Block' Alerts
The HERE app provides new ways to access information about the local arts and architecture scene.
Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions